Skip to main content
Back to Show
Monstrum

Jorōgumo: The Deadly Spider Woman from Yokai Lore

Season 2 Episode 7

Although able to appear as a beautiful young woman, the jorōgumo is really a deadly spider monster in disguise. This episode dives into the fascinating world of yōkai and the long history of beautiful women and spiders in Japanese folklore. You’ll learn about the real-world spider that may have inspired this monster, and discover two of the oldest recorded jorōgumo stories in existence.

Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Season
The Fatal Song of the Sirens
10:10
We picture sirens as similar to mermaids, but the original first sirens weren’t fish-like.
Bunyip: Australia’s Mysterious Amphibian Monster
7:29
A constant in the stories of the bunyip is the role of Aboriginal storytelling & culture.
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse (with Dr. Z)
11:31
Why do we have such a fascination with apocalyptic scenarios?
Slender Man: How The Internet Created a Monster
9:58
There are few modern monsters more notorious, or more recognized, than Slenderman.
Jinn: The Ancient Arabian Shapeshifters
10:25
The jinni are far more important, and frightening, than pop culture would have us believe.
The Crazed Hunt for the Himalayan Yeti
12:57
Does this snow monster really exist?
The Dark Origins of Hansel and Gretel
9:09
What could possibly have prompted the creation of this twisted tale?
Leshy: The Slavic Lord of the Forest
9:54
Learn about the surprising history of this shapeshifting creature.
What Dragons Say About Us (ASL)
6:40
The mythological origins of iconic dragons from Game of Thrones and The Hobbit.
Frankenstein is More Horrific Than You Might Think (ASL)
6:04
Rethinking the characterization of Frankenstein's Monster as more sympathetic and soulful.
Dracula: The First Modern Vampire (ASL)
7:02
Post-Dracula Vampires: From Anne Rice to Twilight
The Original Headless Horseman (ASL)
5:51
Meet the Headless Horseman and his terrifying cousin, the Irish Dullahan.
Active loading indicator